Black Men on Her Mind

Yes, I know, she's not mentally stable, right? She had a bad childhood or she was just unhappy in her marriage. I have no doubt these and many other excuses will be used to gloss over the fact that Bonnie Sweeten of Pennsylvania is nothing more than a narcissistic criminal who also happens to be, like many Americans, a closeted racist with underlying fears of big Black men coming for her in the dark of night.




Let me bring you up to speed for those who don't know. Mrs. Sweeten, your average "all American" girl, decided that she would steal here co workers identity and take a trip (with daughter in tow) to Disney Land. However, for some odd reason she decided to phone the police and claim that she and her daughter had been abducted by, you guessed it...two black men. Now already when I heard that story I knew it was bogus: 1) Kidnapping isn't apart of the Black crime repertoire and 2) Black guys have a hard enough time with our own children, we don't need anymore. However, when white women scream, "help, a Negro's got me!"The nation shuts down and the boys in blue (and in sheets) are off to the "rescue." Fortunately, this case was resolved in a matter of days and "our dreamer" was found out. I reckon with all the practice law enforcement has had in these matters, this might have been a record.


But, the greater point for me is of course, why me?! What is it that would cause her to concoct such a ruse? The same question was asked in 1994, when South Carolina mom, Susan Smith while caught up in an adulterous affair, which her kids hindered, decided to drown them in her car and blame, you guessed it, a Black man. She even came up with a composite sketch. Now that's amazing. Oh, how the country (well most) bought her heart breaking tale hook, line, and sinker until only nine days into the investigation it was discovered that Susan Smith was a liar and a murderer. The same was asked of, Charles Stuart of Boston, Mass. in 1989 when he claimed a black man shot and killed his pregnant wife, Carol. This sent the already racially volatile city of Boston into a state of upheaval. The underlining racial divide that had already existed came out live and in living color. Civil liberties were non existent, some negro was gonna pay. But, here again, Charles Stuart was found out to be a liar. He had actually hired his brother to murder his wife and like the coward that he was, upon being found out, he decided to end his life.



These and many scenarios like them have been the catalyst for some of our nation's most notorious race riots (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3P34Zih01U&feature=related). Many affluent African-American communities were annihilated because a white person (primarily female) stoked the flames of unconscious white fear, by claiming a Black person had assaulted them in some way. This is nothing new and from the looks of it, the tradition continues.


copyright 2009 Johnathan L. Iverson Baptiste

You Didn't Really Think America Was Going to Vote For "Him" Did You?

Perhaps some of you were under the impression that American Idol is a singing competition, as Simon Cowell so often and dishonestly likes to muse. Well if last night's choice for this year's American Idol did not convince you otherwise, nothing will. Even winner Kris Allen was stunned to hear his name called. He had a look of shock to rival that of the prosecution in the O.J. Simpson murder trial. This has never been a singing contest, but, rather a search for our next, well, Idol. It goes beyond vocal prowess, it's about a package: the look, the story, the talent, etc., Oh, but wait a minute, I think Mr. Adam Lambert possessed all of those things in excess. So, dude what happened?

Well as our favorite dawg, Randy Jackson and company so often implied in their critique of Mr. Lambert, he was a bit much to take in. We just don't know "what to make of you." Don't you just love the power of language? You can imply the obvious or what everyone is thinking without actually saying what you mean, thus, giving yourself an out in the event you're called on it. It's like Glenn Beck's assertion that he's not a journalist, but, rather a "commentator on life." Which we all know just means that he's a spin golly of ...(wait, my mother's reading this). You get the picture. It was obvious to anyone with ears, from the moment Adam Lambert opened his mouth that he was far and away their most gifted contestant yet. Even more impressive was his musical sensibilities. To take a well worn song and literally turn it into your own is quite the artistic feat. But, did he have to be so..."you know?" Yes, I know, "comfortable" with himself. So, flamboyantly, fabulously, at ease with what most Americans aren't very at ease with.

During the 2008 Presidential Campaign much was made about America's emotional state of mind when it came time to walk into the ballot box. The Bradley Effect* was often the topic of conversation. "Can White America actually bring themselves to pull the lever for a Black man?" Well, on that historic November evening we got a resounding reply: "Yes We Can!!!" And why not? With a tanking economy, two wars, a ravaged health care system and abhorrent education system, it's about time we hand the nation over to the Blacks. After all, they're pretty good at cleaning up messes, right? Besides the last thing we need is some geezer keeling over from exhaustion, during the State of The Union Address or in the midst of yet another farce of a Middle East peace talk, because he forgot to take his mid morning nap.

So, yes, my fellow Americans we are emotional voters indeed; and there was no way in a 100 million votes (Idol's highest ever), we were going to make one of "them" our Idol. After all, what would that say about us? What would the world think? We had to play it safe, go for the square jawed, all American, heart throb, with the boyish charm and limited vocal facility. After all we know who he is. He's one of us and he makes us feel comfortable. We'll just give that "other one" second place - but, buy up his albums in mass numbers like the good closeted fans that we are. Besides, it worked out pretty well for that "other one" (Clay Aiken).

*The infamous 1982 California election for Governor, in which every poll projected , then Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley (a Black man) the winner. Yet, when it actually came time to vote, good 'ole liberal California just couldn't bring themselves to actually vote for him.

copyright 2009 Johnathan L. Iverson Baptiste

The Fight We Cannot Afford to Lose

Many of our fellow citizens are being overwhelmed with the anxiety and despair that comes with such an economic downturn. Everywhere we turn there seems to be no hope; and yet, at this very hour, when our citizens are at their lowest, they find their children being punished for the incompetence of yet another failed institution we have entrusted to service us. The Administration for Children's Services' proposal to essentially eliminate their Kindergarten programs by farming out over three thousand five year olds into inadequate, inconvenient, and overcrowded Department of Education run schools, in addition to the canceling of Universal Pre-K contracts is appalling to say the least.

What I find so disturbing is the underhanded manner in which these issues are being handled. Let us make no mistake, if this can happen in New York, this can happen anywhere. Therefore, I deem this a national crisis. Essentially the goal as I see it is to privatize the Daycare system and create a permanent underclass. It is vile and lowdown and done with complete apathy and a smile. The fact that such a proposal is even being considered only stands to prove that as a City, State, and nation when push comes to shove, The God in Whom We Trust is our money. We hate the true and living God, that is proven by our priorities. We can bail out criminal bankers and financial institutions, but, somehow lack any remnant of humanity when it comes to protecting our children and their future. This is not only despicable, it's illogical. Have we not yet learned that the children we neglect today, will be the children we will account to tomorrow?



There are parents whom I represent, as President of the Parent Advisory Committee at West 83rd Street Pre School, that have had the rug completely pulled out from under them. They have and are doing everything we as a community could ever ask of them, and then some. Not only are our parents holding down a means of employment (some even more), but, many are attending institutions of higher learner so that they might be able to better serve their children and our community at large. It is an undisputed fact, that early childhood education is a vital component to a child's progress into adulthood. What good will it do us to save an economy for which we leave our children ill equipped to maintain and grow it?



Our Mayor recently met with the President in Washington, D.C. He was accompanied by the Rev. Al Sharpton and Newt Gingrich. They have come out to head a campaign which allegedly seeks to close the achievement gap. I find that rather odd considering our Mayor seems to be completely mum regarding his constituents and their children being used to make space in his budget. Yet, as much as I'd love to crucify our public officials and their dubious programs (ACS), I am reminded that this is our city. Vigilance is the price we pay for liberty. Parents and citizens alike have been warned for years about the importance of their participation in the political and education process, and many still refuse to attend a simple Parent Teacher Association or Parent Advisory Committee meetings or even register to vote. Many even at this desperate hour are content in their ignorance, content to leave their children to a system of strangers. Scripture decrees that we build our house on a rock, so when the storm comes we are able to withstand it. Make no mistake this is indeed a storm. However, in this City and in this country, We The People are that rock. We do each other a great disservice by wallowing in convenient ignorance and unaccountability.



Something is wrong! And it is not our economy. We can always find a way to create commerce, but, the very soul of a nation is its families. The process which causes that nation to evolve is education. When I think of my country in its backward state, I am reminded of God's warning to the budding nation of Israel: When you come into prosperity...do not forget the Lord thy God. No nation in the history of the world has experienced more opulence and liberty as the United States of America. Yet, I submit to you despite it all: our innovations, our liberties, our commerce - the same universal, time tested rules apply. No nation is more valuable than its people. This is a fight we cannot afford to lose.

*Thus far, there have been a number of protest at City Hall (most recently on May 6th) addressing this issue. Unfortunately, media coverage has been scarce to say the least. Tuesday, May 19th there will be another Rally in Albany, New York. If you'd like to attend please contact 212-927-1899 for details and to RSVP a place on the buses that will be provided.*

Copyright 2009 Johnathan L. Iverson Baptiste